These could be out there, but I have yet to come across any.

To encourage people to venture out into the Underdark on a mission, rather than to just wander around or to go to a specific QA destination, it could be interesting to have some NPC offered errand quests starting in Sanctuary or nearby.

For example, a local merchant needs a letter or package delivered to a camp out in the Underdark, but somewhat far from Sanctuary. A rough set of directions could be given (copied into quest journal entry). It would be a nice challenge to venture out following the rough directions if you aren't already an expert on the Underdark geography. Also since the monsters that lurk out there vary it would always maintain an element of challenge and surprise.

It could require a party larger than 1 to encourage teamwork. Also the package could be quite heavy, to add another element of difficulty. Another variation would be that an NPC needs you to retrieve something from a distant location, and will reward you when you it return safely. This type of quest can also be done a number of ways depending if you are a fighter type, sneaky type, magic type, etc.

I have inadvertantly done something similar to this when searching for the Blue Mushroom Inn (waaaay off course). We got out to round about the Goblin Fortress area before deciding to turn back (a Deep Lizard helped make that decision). In the end in terms of gold and experience we got nothing, but it was as fun as it gets in terms of adventure into the unknown.

Certainly good food for thoughts, I just wanted to point out until this will be in or so that there is indeedly one quest where you have to walk quite a distance through the Underdark wilderness to deliver something. Nowadays a short cut can be taken to make this quite easy but, meh, back in my day this errand quest claimed a whole lot of lives.

If you mean the *spoiler* then yes. though I could probably go out there and live.((19 sneak rocks)) I doubt I would make the return trip.

erglion For example, a local merchant needs a letter or package delivered to a camp out in the Underdark, but somewhat far from Sanctuary. A rough set of directions could be given (copied into quest journal entry). It would be a nice challenge to venture out following the rough directions if you aren't already an expert on the Underdark geography. Also since the monsters that lurk out there vary it would always maintain an element of challenge and surprise.

erglion Another variation would be that an NPC needs you to retrieve something from a distant location, and will reward you when you it return safely. This type of quest can also be done a number of ways depending if you are a fighter type, sneaky type, magic type, etc.

Arkov There are at least two quests where you do exactly this! There could definitely be more, though.

Okay, I certainly have some more exploring to do.

In regards to adding more: I think they are relatively easy to script, which is a plus. Also I'm not sure how far out the current ones go, especially if there are now "short cuts" as mentioned above.

This is a possible way to extend some non-combat intensive quests into the level 4-6 range, since they're obviously more difficult than the town fedex quests but don't require hack'n'slash either.

A similar thing I've thought of and seen mentioned before would be to tweak the prices of various good at the different settlements and merchants to reflect supply and demand. For example, maybe a certain far off settlement that is dangerous to get to sells a popular item or several (not anything necessarily special, just cheap half plate, or healing herbs or something) at a price that would make it worthwhile to hire a few strong men to bring them to Sanctuary for resale? This would give merchant types something to do and allow players to essentially create their own "quests."

I only know of one...if you include the Krovus quest then that is two.

I wholeheartedly agree with erglion on this. :)

Being abit of an explorer myself, there is a world of interesting and well thought out areas in the Underdark. However...there always seems to be the certain lack of a reason to venture out and discover them.

Much like erglion said, having a few quests that bring you out there will be a welcome sight. While the obvious "delivery" quest is always easy, I wouldn't even mind seeing more things along the lines of rothe hunting.

I don't know the difficulty of scripting when it comes to these kind of things, but it would be nice to see some of these types of quests come and go. Put it into place for a week or two, then remove it possibly...replacing it with a similar quest somewhere else. Just my opinion obviously. :wink:

If you find it lacks reason, you just have to come up with some reasons. I find it easy to find a reason to go out and explore.

As an example, Philip used to bring people outside sanctuary to look for purple crystals. Not only it encouraged other people to go out more, you easily find other curious things you want to return to and see again, or explore further.

Remember, groups are always more fun than alone. And safer.